New Zealand Freshwater Fish

11004-10112 Perch (Perca fluviatilis) were introduced to New Zealand in the late 1860s and early 1870s from Europe and are now widespread. Perch are easy to catch, making them popular with coarse fishermen. Since the 1970s, new populations have been established illegally in many lakes and ponds to create coarse fishing opportunities. However these voracious predators reduce the abundance of our native bullies, smelt and galaxiids in lakes and streams. They also reduce crayfish numbers and are assocated with the development of cyanobacterial blooms in lakes. Lake Waihola *

313 / 343

11004-10112 Perch (Perca fluviatilis) were introduced to New Zealand in the late 1860s and early 1870s from Europe and are now widespread. Perch are easy to catch, making them popular with coarse fishermen. Since the 1970s, new populations have been established illegally in many lakes and ponds to create coarse fishing opportunities. However these voracious predators reduce the abundance of our native bullies, smelt and galaxiids in lakes and streams. They also reduce crayfish numbers and are assocated with the development of cyanobacterial blooms in lakes. Lake Waihola *

10112 Perch coarse fish introduced perca fluviatilis freshwater game sports acclimatised Lake Waihola